Opening Ceremony marks the start of 18th ASEAN University Games

Singapore, Nanyang Auditorium, July 10, 2016 – The 18th ASEAN University Games 2016 started off with a bang at the Opening Ceremony hosted by Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Featuring some 1,500 top tertiary athletes from 11 countries, including the 10 ASEAN member states and Timor Leste, the Games is certain to set alight the region’s headlines in one of the most visually exciting events of the month.

Happening from July 9th to 19th, the Games will highlight 16 sports across nine competition venues. Gracing the Opening Ceremony was Guest of Honour, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) & Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence.

This is the third time Singapore is hosting the Games after 22 years for Singapore, and follows a successful SEA Games in the island state in 2015. Dr Tan Eng Liang, Chairman of the Organising Committee and Vice President of the Singapore National Olympic Council, said, “The success of the Games depends not only on medals and result, but one where new friendships are made and new memories are forged.”

Dr Tan, who was also the Chairman during the previous two times Singapore hosted the ASEAN University Games, continued, “I could not help but witness the tremendous growth of the AUG Games over the last 20 years in terms of scale and spectacle. I am also touched by the emotion and passion of the competing athletes, where they tried their very best to win the medals and I was impressed by the enthusiasm and the commitment of the thousands of volunteers. I have only one message — to make every participant experience this memorable Games in Singapore.”